PS 154 Holds Green Flag Ceremony

A Flushing school celebrated its qualification as a Green Flag school last week, signifying a commitment to improving the environment.

Since its green team started in 2011, PS 154 has been dedicated to creating an environmentally-friendly facility. After successfully implementing the National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA program, the school was rewarded with the program’s top honor, the Green Flag Award. The dedication ceremony took place on Feb. 28.

Ranger Rick making an appearance at PS 154.

In order to win the Green Flag, PS 154’s students, under the leadership of teacher Deise Kenny, took on a host of sustainability initiatives. They formed an Eco-Action team, audited the building’s energy efficiency, launched a school-wide recycling program with Grow NYC and planted a garden.

Through these efforts, PS 154 became only the second school in New York City to earn the Green Flag Award, the first being PS 57 in Staten Island.

“It’s really become what the students feel is the next thing we need to do to educate our community and make us more environmentally-friendly,” Dr. Tara Davidson, the school’s principal, said.

According to Emily Fano, the City’s outreach manager at Eco-Schools USA, PS 154 has to earn the Green Flag every two years, to show they are keeping up with sustainability efforts.

“We’re incredibly proud of them. This is a real achievement. It shows they are extremely dedicated and committed to sustainability,” Fano said.

The students were happy about their achievement as well, cheering loudly throughout the ceremony, especially when National Wildlife Federation mascot, Ranger Rick, made an appearance.